“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” ~ Epictetus
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Bee Intelligencer AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Informing the towns of Middlebury, Southbury, Woodbury, Naugatuck, Oxford and Watertown
www.bee-news.com
Volume X, No. 30
December 2014
P&Z rejects Quassy cottage plan By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE 10 or so owners in attendance, said executive board meetings The Middlebury Planning must be noticed to members and Zoning Commission (P&Z) and Gail Hanley, an HOA board at its Nov. 6 meeting denied a member, said she had no Lake Quassapaug cottage ex- knowledge of the board appansion. It also renewed per- proval. Smith told Hanley and mits for Benson Woods, ap- Molder their issue was internal proved modifications at Quassy to the association and conAmusement Park, continued a firmed he had an approval lethearing on changes to afford- ter signed by Butkus. able housing regulations, apIn commissioner discussion, proved a change in use for the Erika Carrington questioned former Golden Age of Trucking the percentage of expansion in Museum and agreed to write a the application, saying it was letter of opposition to the pro- absurd to include the square posed Oxford Airport power footage of a porch in the “beplant. fore” calculations and not use An application to expand a them in the “after” calculations. 1,161-square-foot seasonal cot- Attorney Thomas Riley, repretage at 2 West Lake Road on senting purchaser Paul Largay, Lake Quassapaug was denied said the confusion is in the orwithout prejudice, meaning it der of the description of the could be resubmitted in the ordinances. The original footfuture. The expansion was first print was intended to include proposed Sept. 4 with a foot- all the porches, etc., but the print of 3,500 square feet. That resulting structure did not have was reduced to 1,869 square to include it in its calculations. feet Oct. 2. Commissioners had Carrington acknowledged the questioned sewer and water calculation was allowed in an capacity for additional expan- earlier approval but said, sions but were told by West “There needs to be a time to Shore Homeowners Associa- stop.” She also said “I think it tion (HOA) president John But- was disingenuous to be led to kus the systems were able to believe the homeowners could support expansion of every be sort of a guard dog on these unit to three bedrooms and had applications, and it’s not.” received approval from all necThe application by Middleessary entities. bury Land Development LLC Town attorney Dana D’An- for renewal of an excavation gelo said zoning regulations and grading permit for Benson required approval from adjoin- Woods at North Benson Road ing cottages as well as HOA was approved for another year approval before expansions after the applicant’s counsel, could be considered. She told Jennifer Yoxall of Carmody & commissioners a letter from a Torrance, offered cookies and West Shore homeowner ques- joked with commissioners tioned that approval, but about applying for the 11th Chairman Terry Smith said a yearly renewal since the project letter from Butkus, not present started in 2002. Benson Woods at the meeting, affirmed HOA is an age-restricted community executive board approval of the of 79 homes and a 1,200-squareexpansion. foot community building. Mark Steve Molder, an HOA mem– See P&Z on page 5 ber representing some of the
Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tony Bruno sits at the desk in the chief’s office Nov. 8, the day before he was elected to the position. He had been appointed acting chief on Nov. 6, the day the FBI arrested then-Chief Paul Perrotti on charges of embezzlement. (Marjorie Needham photo)
MVFD chooses Tony Bruno as chief By MARJORIE NEEDHAM Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) Chief Tony Bruno moved from acting chief to chief in just a matter of days. When then-Chief Paul Perrotti was arrested by the FBI the morning of Nov. 6, Middlebury First Selectman Edward B. St. John appointed Bruno as acting
fire chief. He had been a first deputy chief, second in command under Perrotti. Perrotti’s arrest came six months after the FBI came to Middlebury in May and seized files, one or more computers and various other items from the Middlebury firehouse on Tucker Hill Road. The November arrest came shortly before the MVFD
Middlebury has new K9, Jay The Middlebury Police Department is introducing its newest member, K9 Jay. Jay was acquired recently from a reputable supplier of police K9s and has been living with his handler, Officer Ed Demers, a veteran K9 officer. Jay has been receiving some basic training from Demers and is expected to undergo formal training at the State Police K9 Academy beginning in February 2015. Demers said Jay has been coming along nicely. He has brought the dog to the police station several times to acclimate him with the personnel and the environment. The department’s current K9, JJ, a yellow Labrador retriever, is set to retire in the near future after 10 years of service. Demers said JJ knows retirement is coming; on several occasions when he has left him home while he brought in Jay, the new K9, family members told him JJ “whined all day,” a sure sign of separation anxiety.
The community as a whole was extremely generous in aiding the department in the purchase of Jay. As of early November, the department had received more than $10,000, which will more than cover the cost of the K9 and anticipated equipment and some related training expenses. Police Chief James Viadero, speaking on behalf of himself and the police department members, thanked the community for their generous donations. He said Jay will be an integral addition to the department. It is anticipated that he will graduate from the training academy in April and at some point thereafter be cross-trained in narcotics detection. Viadero said it was great to see the enthusiasm and interest the fundraiser for a new dog generated. Numerous letters of thanks and praise were received from people who said the current K9, JJ, had impacted their life in Jay, Middlebury’s new K9 officer, sits obediently next to a Midsome way during his career. dlebury police cruiser. (Submitted photo)
Inside this Issue
Fire Log........................... 8 This is a Hammer........... 12 In Brief............................ 6 Varsity Sports Calendar.... 8 Library Happenings.......... 2 Winning Ways................. 8
Editorial Office: Email: mbisubmit@gmail.com Phone: 203-577-6800 Mail: P.O. Box 10, Middlebury, CT 06762 Advertising Sales: Email: mbiadvertising@gmail.com
Upcoming Events
Community Calendar....... 5 Senior Center Events....... 4
The day before the election he said if he was elected chief his goal would be to have everyone in the department working together with great morale. He stressed the importance of public trust, which he said he would work to regain if it was damaged by Perrotti’s arrest, and he said he would maintain an open-door policy in the department. He said members meet the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the firehouse and the meetings are open to the public. “This is not a one-person operation,” he said. “We’re still a team, and we work together.” Of his job as chief, he said, “I’m only here to pick up the pieces and keep this department together for the department and the community.” The FBI said a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Perrotti, 47, with three counts of theft from programs receiving federal funds. It is alleged he embezzled more than $70,000 from the MVFD and used the money to pay for unauthorized personal expenses and for expenses associated with his electric company. It also alleges Perrotti submitted invoices to the Town of Middlebury for MVFD expenses that were instead related to his business. It further alleges he used an MVFD Home Depot credit card and an MVFD debit card for cash and purchases not related to the MVFD. Perrotti appeared in court and was released on a $250,000 bond.
Middlebury Police Department Food and Toy Drive
Book Review................... 2 Library Lines...........................2 Classifieds..................... 11 Region 15 Calendar........ 5
annual election, which was set for Sunday, Nov. 9. The 44 voting members attending that election unanimously elected Bruno by casting one ballot for him. Bruno thanked them for the vote of confidence. St. John said, “He’s very experienced and will do fine. He certainly has my support and the town’s support.” Bill Stowell said, “I think he will bring the department back together again. It was too fractured before. Now it won’t be a one-man show.” Interviewed the day before the election, Bruno, 44, said he is the divorced father of three girls ages 7, 10 and 16. He moved to Middlebury from Waterbury 22 years ago. His love of firefighting started at a young age. He said, “I lived near a fire station and always loved seeing the trucks on the road.” He said he used to visit the fire station when he was 10 or 11, and he knew then he wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up. He worked as a fire inspector at Uniroyal Chemical in Waterbury from 1993 to 2001 and now works for the state of Connecticut as a department of health fire marshal. He said his union contract will allow him to respond to Middlebury fire calls. He said David Greene Sr of Middlebury introduced him to the MVFD. Starting as an apprentice, he worked his way up through the ranks to first deputy chief over the years.
saturday
Dec. 6
What: When: Where:
Dec. 16
Panthers seniors own night
Annual Tree Lighting on the Green What: When: Where:
tuesday
Middlebury police and police explorers collect food and toys to help families during this tough economic time. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (If you can’t make that, drop items off at the police department.) Dinova’s Four Corners at 600 Middlebury Road in Middlebury
Menorah lighting for Hanukkah What: When: Where:
Page 9
Tree lighting, entertainment by Middlebury Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts and carol singing. Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and Santa at the Middlebury Congregational Church parsonage open house. 4 p.m. Town green on Whittemore Road The first light on the menorah on the town green will be lit and Hanukkah songs and “Rock of Ages” will be sung. Those in attendance will be invited to take responsibility for lighting the menorah on the following nights. Refreshments will follow in Westover’s Red Hall. 3:30 p.m. Middlebury town green on Whittemore Road.
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